Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria
Get ready for the big holiday weekend in Alexandria!
During Alexandria’s Biggest Holiday Weekend, spanning Dec. 5-7, celebrate the return of two of the region’s top signature events, the 54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade sponsored by Wegmans in historic Old Town Alexandria from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the 25th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon along the Potomac River shoreline at 5:30 p.m. with dockside activities from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
For the occasion, Laphroaig has partnered with 18 local restaurants and bars to offer bespoke whisky cocktails in celebration of the 54th Annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade sponsored by Wegmans. Parade-goers can make it a holiday weekend getaway with an Alexandria hotel stay, cozy restaurants decked out for the holidays and seasonal shopping at more than 100 independent boutiques.
The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade sponsored by Wegmans is a celebration of Alexandria’s founding in 1749 by Scottish merchants and its naming after Scotsman John Alexander who owned the land that became Alexandria. The 2025 parade kicks off at 11 a.m. and features more than 100 parade units, including dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans, pipe and drum bands, terriers and hounds and community groups. This year’s Grand Marshal is Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, and the Masters of Ceremonies are Julie Carey, the Northern Virginia bureau chief for NBC4, and Heather Haddock, past president of the Scottish American Women’s Society of Washington, D.C. The parade is produced by Visit Alexandria in partnership with Campagna Center and the City of Alexandria. Additional support is provided by Wegmans, Scottish Government USA and First Watch Strategies & Events.
“At Wegmans, we make a difference in every community we serve, and we are honored to bring our support to the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade for a third year,” said Mike Anthony, store manager for Wegmans Carlyle. “The parade is a beloved tradition for the community and part of the larger holiday experience that attracts visitors throughout the season. My team has been devoted to being a good neighbor in Alexandria ever since we opened in 2022.”
The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights sponsored by Amazon begins at 5:30 p.m. and will feature more than 50 brightly lit boats cruising along one mile of the Potomac River shoreline from Old Town North to Ford’s Landing Park. From 2 to 8 p.m., parade-goers can enjoy dockside festivities at Waterfront Park, including a pop-up beer garden from Alexandria’s award-winning Port City Brewing Company, food and beverage vendors and family-friendly activities. The parade is produced by Visit Alexandria in collaboration with the City of Alexandria, City Cruises – Alexandria and the Old Dominion Boat Club.
“Amazon is proud to sponsor the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights and partner with Visit Alexandria for the sixth year,” said Patrick Phillippi, senior manager of community engagement for Amazon for the HQ2 region. “We’re pleased to support this cherished event which is beloved by locals and attracts visitors to discover a truly special holiday destination.”
For more information on programming, parade routes, viewing locations, transportation considerations, FAQs and additional weekend happenings, please visit the parade webpages at ALXScottishWalk.com and ALXBoatParade.com.
